About the area

Swaffham

Bustling Swaffham is one of Norfolk's most attractive market towns.

Feted for its heritage and fine architecture, it is also the home of the region's leading environmental education complex.

The EcoTech Centre has a multi-faceted role as a centre for learning, conferences and seminars, research and development, a visitor attraction and the focus for an innovation and business park. Britain's tallest wind turbine stands in the grounds, and a second one is also in operation (right0.

Swaffham's shopping centre still boasts many small, privately-run businesses. Early closing day is officially Wednesday but most stores now stay open throughout the week.

The independently-run Swaffham Museum opens from spring to the end of October (call 01760 721230 for opening times), while the town's tourist information opens from April to the end of October on Mondays to Saturdays, 10am-4pm (01760 722255).

 

 

Watton

Watton is situated in the heart of rural Norfolk. Although the smallest town in the Breckland area, it has a bustling market place and shopping area with a number of stores and amenities.

Some of the shops are have stayed in the same family, with second and third generations continuing to run the businesses.

Just south of the town is the Wayland Wood which is reputedly where the story of the Babes in the Wood took place - the legend has been used to illustrate the town sign.

Watton enjoys close links with its surrounding parishes and three years ago the Wayland Partnership was established as a way of boosting the economic prosperity of the area. The Partnership's aim is to persuade people to come to Watton and the eight parishes for either a day or a short break and encourage them to spend their money.

Watton also has links abroad and the town is twinned with Weeze in Germany.

The town has an electoral roll of approximately 4600 people and is also served by three schools: Westfield Infants, Watton Junior and Wayland Community High School.

> History of the area